(COLORADO) — It’s holiday party time, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is reminding drivers not to get behind the wheel after drinking, as the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and 75 local law enforcement agencies prepare to increase DUI enforcement from Thursday, Dec. 12, through Wednesday, Dec. 25.
During “The Heat is On Holiday Parties” DUI enforcement period, drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints, and additional law enforcement officers working to arrest impaired drivers.
Impaired driving-related crashes and fatalities tend to spike during the holidays. So far in 2024, 190 fatalities on Colorado roads have involved an impaired driver, representing 30% of all traffic fatalities for the year.
Courtesy: Colorado Department of Transportation
“Colorado law enforcement made 1,350 DUI arrests last December alone. Avoid a DUI this holiday season by making a plan for a sober ride,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Encourage your friends or family members to never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, too. Responsibility is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to driving sober.”
Those hosting a party can make sure guests stay safe with the following tips:
Collect guests’ car keys when they arrive or encourage them to designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service, taxi or public transportation.
Call a friend or family member for a guest if they have been drinking, or offer them a place to stay if they don’t have a sober ride option.
Stop serving alcohol at least two hours before the party is over and provide plenty of food and non-alcoholic drink options.
Be persistent if a guest is intoxicated and planning to drive home, explaining that you care about their safety and can’t let them get behind the wheel.
Remember that party hosts can be held liable if they serve alcohol and a guest gets into a crash.
“Keep a DUI off your wish list this holiday season,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “If you plan to drink, plan a sober ride home. Use a rideshare service, taxi, designated driver, or public transit to get home safely. Just never drive impaired.”
